Lloyd Abrams Jr.

1957-2019

Lloyd “Coon” Elmer Abrams Jr. went to be with the Lord on Thursday June 20, 2019 at Community Hospice in Ashland, Ky surrounded by his loving family.

He was born May 29, 1957 in Russell, KY, a son of the late Lloyd Abrams Sr and the late Pauline Akers Abrams.

He was also preceded in death by one sister, Patricia Abrams and one brother, James Edward Abrams.

Mr. Abrams is survived by two daughters, Lena (Terry) Justice, Ashley Moore; three sisters, Donna Ferris, Deborah (Tim) Parsons, Melissa (William) Shope; three brothers. Robert (Patty) Abrams, Sam Abrams, Jack (Peggy) Abrams; two grandchildren, Gracie Justice, Kimber Moore as well as his extended family, friends and loved ones.

Funeral Services for Mr. Abrams were conducted Sunday June 23, 2019 at the Evans Funeral Home in Raceland, KY.

Burial followed at the Caroline Cemetery in Raceland, KY.

The family asks that all visitors wear their favorite UK apparel in honor of “Coon” being a lifelong UK fan.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to help cover funeral expenses.

Thomas Devaney

1935 - 2019

Thomas Earl Devaney, 84, of Worthington, died Friday, June 21, 2019 at his residence.

He was born, March 15, 1935 in Midkiff, WV the son of the late Thomas B. and Edna E. Lewis Devaney.

He was a retired boilermaker with Local 40 and Local 105 and a U.S. Navy veteran. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by five brothers, Charles Devaney, Marvin Devaney, Danny Devaney, Jerry Michael Devaney and Eddie Devaney. Survivors include his wife, Ida Ernestine Taylor Devaney; two sons, Thomas Michael (Gina) Devaney of Hoschton, GA and Philip David Devaney of Shelbyville, KY; two brothers, Dale Sherman Devaney of Flatwoods and Bobby (Liz) Devaney of Medina, OH; one sister, Elizabeth (Paul) Offill of Sabastian, FL; two grandchildren, Megan Michele (John) Reid, Christen Jillian Devaney and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at Miller Funeral Home by John Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at Ashland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 1480 Carter Ave. Ashland, KY 41101 or American Lung Association, 1200 Hosford St., Suite 101, Hudson, WI 54016-9316.

William  Wittmann

1933 – 2019

William “Bill” Wittmann, 86, of Russell passed away June 16, 2019 in Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

Mr. Wittmann was born May 7, 1933 in McKeesport, PA, to the late Rusch Sr. and Esther Wittmann.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by three brothers, Rusch Jr., Duane and Robert Wittmann; and three sisters, Dorothy Wittmann, Margaret Harrison and Virginia Bloomstead.

Bill was a member and Deacon of Raceland Christian Church. He served his country proudly in the United States Army. He was the former owner of Wittmann’s Hallmark and Richard’s Hallmark. He was a member of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Ashland Area Business Boosters, a 50-year member of the Russell Rotary Club and former Mason.

Left behind to carry on his legacy are his wife of 61 years, Frances Wittmann; one daughter Margaret “Peggy” (Ken) Hornsby; one son, William “Rick” (Elizabeth) Wittmann II; Grandchildren, William Wittmann III, Peyton (Josh) Hornsby Hurn, Jessica Hornsby Tice, Jimmy (Erin) Simpson and Jennifer (Kevin) Sparks; great-grandchildren, Draven Tice, Braden Tice, Nolan Hurn, Lee Sparks, Lizzie Sparks and Olivia Simpson; Nephews, Richard Bloomstead and Robert Harrison; along with a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods with Dr. Tom Melvin officiating.

Burial followed in Bellefonte Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to be made to Raceland Christian Church.

Visit Carmanfuneral.com to leave messages.

Phyllis Harris

1939 - 2019

Phyllis Jane Harris, 79, of Flatwoods, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2019 in Our lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

Ms. Harris was born Sept. 2, 1939, to the late Paul R. and Geneva Sturgill Brickey.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by brothers, Paul Jr., Ronald and James Brickey; sister, Joyce Brickey McDowell.

Phyllis retired as a respiratory therapist after over 20 years of service from Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital. She enjoyed facebook, online games & shopping. In her younger years, she loved camping, fishing and spending time outdoors.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her three children, Timothy D. (Rebecca J.) Harris, Debora G. (Paul D.) Gilliam and John M. Harris; seven grandchildren that share many memories with their “Nan”; and five beautiful great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods.

Visit Carmanfuneral.com to leave messages.

Debra Allard

1955 - 2019

Debra Allard, 64, of South Shore passed away June 15, 2019 at her home.

Mrs. Allard was born Jan. 19, 1955 in Portsmouth to the late Boone and Adria Roberts.

Debra was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Quincy. She enjoyed painting, sewing, quilting, traveling, fishing; but most of all she enjoyed being with her family. Debra was a graduate of the 1973 class of McKell High School, which was the last graduating class.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Albert Allard; one daughter, Misty (Basil) Cooper; and one grandson, Basil Cooper II; one sister, Cathy (Doug) Collins; three brothers, Stanley (Marsha) Roberts, Donald Roberts and Joseph (Amy) Roberts; along with many nieces, nephews and other family and friends. 

A celebration of life was conducted Thursday, June 20, 2019 at the Faith Baptist Church in Quincy, KY, with Tim Underwood and Clarence Grigsby officiating.

Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore is caring for arrangements.

Barbara Hogsten

1940 - 2019

Barbara Sue Tackett Hogsten 78 of Westwood went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at her residence surrounded by her family.

Barb was born July 16, 1940 in Allen, KY. She was raised by her loving parents the late Harrison and Gertrude Griffith Groves. 

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her loving husband Robert Wayne Hogsten in 2008; her father Charles Tackett; a brother Estill Groves; and one grandson Jeremy Hogsten.

Barb loved her family more than anything. For many years Barb owned and operated the Westwood Trophy shop. She loved cooking and feeding her family and friends and was an avid bowler for many years. She also loved spending time fishing, camping or spending time on her pontoon boat with her husband and family. 

She leaves behind three sons Harrison Robert Hogsten (Peggy) of Greenup, Dannie Hogsten (Priscilla) of Boyd County and Roy Hogsten (Susie) of Westwood; two daughters Wanda Ball (Keith) and Diana Hogsten Clark both of Westwood; two brothers Douglas Tackett of Florida and Jess Groves of Kenova; four sisters Janet Lunsford and Mary Jane Fryer both of Boyd County, Gertie Bostick of Rush and Betty Lou of Proctorville, OH; one step-son Mike Medley; 12 grandchildren Chris, Shawn, Alisa, Jennifer, Sammy, Michelle, Robbie, Harrison Robert, Missy, Haleigh Grace, Jason and Jake; 25 great grandchildren Zeke, Braydin, Ronnie, Kaylee, Savanna, Steven, Desmond, Tristan, Kayden, Brianna, Austin, Ethan, Skylar, Jace, Harry, Rob, Isaac, Kirsten, Lexie, Trinity, Bryce, Brendan, Bryce, Rob and Brennen; along with a host of extended family and friends. 

A Private family memorial service will be held at a later date with Pastor Willard Metz officiating.

Her earthly resting place is in Kirby Flats Cemetery. 

Caniff Funeral Home in Westwood in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at canifffuneralhome.com.

Mahala Johnson

1925 - 2019

Mahala Jane “Polly” Reffitt Johnson, 93, of Ashland, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening, June 19, 2019, at the Community Hospice Care Center.

She was born November 8, 1925, in Greenup County, Kentucky; a daughter of the late William Henry and Nannie A. Dean Salyers.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ambrose Johnson; great grandson, Scotty Burchett; sister, Ruby J. Reeves; brother, Lawrence Reeves; and brother in law, Clyde Ramey, Sr.

Polly was a member of Wesleyan Ashland Heights Church. She worked for Ben Williamson Supply Company for 14 years but most importantly she was a loving and devoted mother and homemaker.

Those left to cherish her memory include sons, Denny Roger Johnson (Rita) of Catlettsburg, KY, William L. “Bill” Reffitt of Mableton, GA, James R. Johnson of Ashland, and Kenneth A. (Marynell) Reffitt of London, Ohio; brother, William Floyd Salyers of New Lebonon, OH; sisters, Doris Eberwein of Baltimore, MD, Sara Ramey of Ashland, and Artie (Butch) Withrow of Ashland; sister in law, Janet Reeves of Florida; 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and a host of loving extended family members and dear friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Steen Funeral Home Central Avenue Chapel with Chaplain Jimm Smedley officiating.

Burial followed in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens.

Contributions may be made to Wesleyan Ashland Heights or to the charity of your choice.

To share a remembrance of Polly or to express a condolence to her family, please visit: www.steenfuneralhome.com.

James Downs

1927 - 2019

James Paul Downs, Sr., 91, of Ashland, passed away at the Hospice Care Center on June 21, 2019.

He was born on December 12, 1927 in Printer, WV to the late Reed McKinley and Mary Goodwin Downs. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Iris Downs Campbell.

James was blending supervisor at Ashland Oil, Inc. and served proudly in the U.S. Army in both WWII and the Korean conflict. He was a member of Unity Baptist Church and had been active in the Boy Scouts of America, Ashland Oil clubs and some hunting and fishing clubs. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Ruth Walters Downs of Ashland, KY; sons James Paul Downs, Jr. and wife Lynn of Ashland, KY, David Carleton Downs and wife Suzanne of Versailles, KY, and Ralph Reed Downs and wife Lynda of Russell, KY; a daughter Joy Downs Thielen of Ashland, KY; Grandchildren Dustin Downs, James Kelly Downs, Johnathan Thielen, Pavin Reed Downs, Jax Downs, Griffin Downs and Sadie Downs (Caleb) Chapman; several great grandchildren and an adopted son Michael Hale.

Funeral services will be held at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at 1:00 PM and will be officiated by Reverend Jeremy Couture.

Burial will follow in Ashland Cemetery with military rites by Kenova American Legion Post #93. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 11:00 AM until service time at 1:00 on Wednesday. 

In lieu of flowers friends may make contributions to Jamie’s Sake, 1544 Winchester Avenue, #808, Ashland, KY. 41101 or Community Hospice, 1480 Carter Avenue, Ashland, KY 41101. Online condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhome.com